|
 Many
people recognize government and civics courses from high school.
That is when students would learn about how our government was
established and a bit about our constitution.
Why wait until then, start in
elementary teaching your children about the wonder or our
governments. “The wonder of our government?” you may
be asking yourself. |
Yes! I said WONDER of
our government. I love looking at the political process, the
combination of old and new. The formal way they speak to each other on
the floor of the house and senate contrasted with modern day talking
points.
Look at the preamble
to the constitution. I remember that I had to memorize it for Mrs.
Elam’s 5th grade class. I can still say the whole thing. “We
the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union…”
Just the opening of the preamble is fascinating. These normal people
were setting out to do an extraordinary task. It goes on to share a few
goals and ends with this, “and secure the blessing of liberty to
ourselves, and our union, do ordain and establish this constitution for
the United States of America.”
We
have grown so used to hearing the word Constitution as it pertains to
the decisions handed down by the Supreme Court.
Something is either constitutional or unconstitutional.
With children you can
begin to read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Maybe you’d like to have them memorize the preamble like I did as a
child.
For older kids there
are opportunities to participate in government by directly lobbying or
doing other things like doing a comparative study of the Articles of
Confederation (the precursor to our own constitution) and the
constitution. What weaknesses in the Articles did the new
constitution address? Were they effective? Why or why not?
Don’t make the study
about dry facts and dates. Look at what was happening then. Look at
why they created our system of government and what danger they put
themselves in by doing it.
History is
created by real people and when you study the real people of history, it
is really very exciting.
We will be adding lots more resources
below, so check back soon.
Heart to Heart Talks
passionately believes that our great nation didn't happen by accident.
It was built by imperfect but virtuous individuals, who formed strong
families that comprised thriving communities of savvy productive
citizens. |
